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| Chronology |
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Timeline
1960
Formation of No. 1 Training Unit (precursor to 1RLI)
Formation (resurrection) of C (Rhodesia) Squadron SAS
Belgium grants independence to its Congo colony, resulting in chaos
Formation of ZAPU (Zimbabwe African People's Union) under Joshua Nkomo
1961
1RLI formed on 1 February
Congo Emergency and collapse of Katangese secessionist government
1962
1RLI move to new barracks in Cranborne, Salisbury
Her Majesty, The Queen approves RLI's regimental badge
Nationalists begin campaign of civil disorder, resulting in banning of ZAPU
A-Company read more
1963
Her Majesty, The Queen, approves RLI's regimental colours in July
Operation Zephyr and other minor operations initiated to counter increasing
intimidation by nationalist agitators
Rhodesian Nationalists split - ZANU formed by ZAPU dissenters led by Ndabaningi
Sithole
First ZANU (ZANLA) recruits undergo training in China
Break-up of the Central African Federation in December
RLI strength reduced to 200 men as a result of Federal 'golden handshake'
and morale plummets
1964
First insurgent (ZANU's the 'Crocodile Gang') infiltration into Rhodesia
in July
Ian Smith becomes Rhodesian Prime Minister
ZANU banned and Robert Mugabe detained
Malawi and Zambia attain independence
1965
1RLI reformed as a commando battalion
Lt-Col. G. P. Walls (CO 1RLI) introduces RLI green beret
RLI receives colours from governor of Rhodesia, Sir Humphrey Gibbs in June
RLI successfully 'commando-tested' in exercises Flick Knife and Long Drag
Britain applies oil embargo on Rhodesia
1966
Harold Wilson, British PM, persuades UN to violate its own charter (Article
41) and impose sanctions on Rhodesia in April
Op Pagoda - ZANU's first serious military infiltration into Rhodesia in
May
Op Yodel - RLI's first contact with ZANU insurgents at Chirundu in September
RLI parachute club formed
Smith and Wilson meet aboard HMS Tiger off Gibraltar in December. The talks
end in failure
Click here to read more
1967
Op Nickel - first major ZAPU incursion into Rhodesia in August
Start of clandestine Rhodesian operations in Mozambique
Arrival of South African Police (SAP)
1968
Op Cauldron - ZAPU's second major incursion and the blooding of the RLI
in March
Op Glove and capture of Moffat Hadebe in June
Op Griffin - ZAPU's third major incursion in July
Op Excess - ZAPU's fourth incursion in July
Rhodesia hangs three insurgents for murder despite Queen's reprieve
Talks between Wilson and Smith break down aboard HMS Fearless in October
1969
Rhodesia becomes a republic
Samora Machel (Frelimo) grants Josiah Tongogara (ZANLA) permission to operate
against Rhodesia from bases in Tete Province, Mozambique
Sithole imprisoned for plotting to assassinate Smith
Source: Alex Binda
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